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In the opinion section of The Miner (Art Laffer, May 28) a letter addressed the Laffer Curve. Unfortunately, there was some misrepresentation that will be difficult to answer in the word limit for the opinion page. However, the idea that a simple economic theory can address all the variables in a complex industrial state leads to some rather interesting misconceptions. First, the optimal U.S. tax rate leading to optimal revenue is between 32 and 35% based on a number of variables. The misconception occurs with the erroneous conclusion that the Reagan years were a boon to the economy due to lowered tax rates.
What occurred during these years was a $2 trillion increase in the national debt that led Reagan to raise the tax rates over the course of his terms. There were also a multitude of factors, too complex to go into here, that affected the economy.
My point is that to try and answer complex issues with a simplistic answer that ignores these variables can lead to a conclusion that aligns with the writer’s biases. And as time has shown, the economics that were drawn from the use of the Laffer Curve have not led to optimal levels of government revenue. Tell all your friends to subscribe to the Miner.
Steve Bennett Newport
The meta narrative
A 2017 memo by Rich Higgins, former intel officer for SOCOM (deceased), describes the “pseudo- publicity” tactics used against President Trump since 2017. The “meta narrative” seeks to delegitimize President Trump, his administration, and especially the vision for America he projects, in favor of a Marxist agenda. President Trump is relentlessly characterized as unfit in order to sway unwitting populations into believing: “President Trump is illegitimate, corrupt and dishonest.”
“Supporting narratives” are construed from twisted truths and outright lies about current events in order to cause “Trump fatigue” over time, deserved or not. Common supporting narratives include: “Russia hacked the election” – illegitimate; “obstruction of justice” – corrupt; “hiding collusion” – dishonest; and “Putin Puppet” – treasonous.
The “backdrop” includes cultural Marxist memes designed to sustain a general sense of loathing of President Trump and the Americans who elected him: “[meta:] President Trump is illegitimate, [supporting:] he was elected because of Russian hacking, [backdrop:] and besides, he is a racist, sexist xenophobe.”
As Hillary Clinton once famously parroted, supporters were to be mocked as “deplorable” and “racist” to demoralize the movement.
Were you conned into believing this, as I once was? Remarkably, movement supporters appear to be “immune” to media attacks; hence it’s steadily growing.
Kamori Cattadoris Newport
Relationships most important
investment
I believe there is a deep concern underlying all these letters to the editor, beyond the obvious disagreement on what is true, beneficial and the intent of the political players involved.
I think the concern we carry is the unanswered question: What does this mean to me and my family’s financial and physical security? Certain stories will make us feel secure and others make us feel insecure leading to discordant (and maybe unrecognized) emotions bubbling under the surface.
As a former stockbroker, I used to believe that money invested in equities was the answer to long term security, but continuous examples of fraud and manipulation made me realize that was a trap. Now as a gardener and community builder, I believe that security comes from investing in the People’s Bank.
What is the People’s Bank? How good and strong are your family and community relationships?
What have you done to build equity among people? Do you readily offer your time, talents, and money? Who do you know that you would drop everything to help? Who do you know that would drop everything to help you?
This nurturing of relationship is the fabric of true security.
Stacy Cossey Priest River
Taxington—the Evergreed State
Thinking of opening a business in Washington State? You might want to reconsider!
Washington is the eighth-most regulated state in the country.
Washington is ranked No. 35 for business climate, down from No. 15 in 2022 before the implementation of the capital gains tax.
Washington’s business tax climate has deteriorated significantly, falling from 6th best in 2014 to 5th worst in 2025, discouraging new business creation.
The Association of Washington Business Spring 2025 survey shows a drop in businesses planning to expand in Washington (18%, down from 20%) while 26% now look to expand out of state (up from 21%), and 12% plan to relocate (up from 9%). Taxes are the primary reason, with Idaho being the top destination. Over half of employers (52%) cite the tax burden as their biggest challenge.
Businesses (including small businesses) are the backbone of our communities, providing jobs, innovation, and economic stability.
A thriving business environment fosters opportunity and prosperity for all. When Democrat policies discourage entrepreneurship and drive businesses elsewhere, the impact is felt by workers, families, and local economies. Washington must reconsider the trajectory of its business climate before more companies leave and economic vitality diminishes.
Ernie Hood Newport
Autopen
To the editor: It’s no secret that Biden used the autopen (‘pen’) as other Presidents have during their terms. This time might be a bit different though. Evidence is coming to light that Biden’s three top aides were in control of the ‘pen.’ Evidence suggests they may have been selling access to it.
Senator Elizabeth Warren’s name surfaced as having access to it or some control. This might be a scandal in the making.
If Biden’s cognitive decline was to a point where he wasn’t functioning and his aides had the ‘pen,’ who knows what we might find. That opens the door for other agenda’s to be pushed. DOJ’s Ed Martin is investigating this. This could be huge depending on what he finds.
Who signed all the pardons? The border policies? When asked, Biden didn’t seem to know much about it (that could be from cognitive decline though). If Biden didn’t sign many of these, who did and are they legit?
Think about how much was signed by the ‘pen’ over his four-year term.
This is going to be interesting.
AG Bondi is relieving the American Bar Association of vetting judges. Apparently she doesn’t like activist rogue judges.
Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick
Trump can change istory with sharpie
When I was an altar boy a priest could make water holy. Today, a president can make the Gulf of Mexico American by executive order. In either case the water didn’t change except in the eye of the believer. Like changing Denali into Mt. McKinley, I wonder where Trump is going to put the sign on the 20,310 foot mountain. Water and mountains don’t change with a sharpie pen.
A Christian nationalist sees America like the Bible. Political beliefs have become the same as religious beliefs. Trump is now the same as Jesus preaching from the Mount.
Trump’s words are like Bible verses.
Trump claims he has rebuilt our military in three months, and he is believed as if he turned water into wine.
The view I see is that Republicans are holy and Democrats are scum.
The old good vs. evil story. Funny how you can’t have one without the other. Truth is defined politically by who holds the power. Trump ordered the historical accomplishments of minority and female soldiers removed from the DOD webpages. They have disappeared unlike the water in the Gulf of Mexico. In Trump’s America anyone or anything can be removed by his sharpie pen.
Pete Scobby Newport
Federal public assistance and economic stability
Pend Oreille County employers benefit when their employees receive assistance from federal programs, such as, Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, education/training/childcare, Veterans Assistance and tax credits that not only provide direct support but also contribute to a healthier and more stable workforce.
The economic impact of illness— and its ripple effects on employment, housing, and education—underscores the importance of policies that ensure healthcare access.
Federal assistance programs play a vital role in ensuring economic stability for individuals and families in our community. Access to preventative healthcare reduces visits to hospital emergency rooms, curbs the spread of communicable diseases, and enhances community health.
If Medicaid and Medicare are no longer available to seniors in long-term care facilities, these facilities will close. Then the burden will fall on our community.
While federal aid supports economic growth, some argue that tax cuts for billionaires offer similar benefits— however, the evidence suggests otherwise.
You can play a significant role in supporting Senators Murray and Cantwell in their efforts to protect essential federal assistance programs and oppose tax cuts for billionaires.
Contact Information: Senator Patty Murray, (202) 2242621. Toll Free: (866) 481-9186); Senator Maria Cantwell, (202) 224-3441); Representative Michael Baumgartner, (202) 225-2006.
Gloria Jean Wells Newport
